We need to set up a chart based on age, gender, and weight and set up some standards for running a mile, for squatting and benching certain weights.
Whoever takes the test and passes the standard according to his age and weight can receive generous TAX CUTS. Similar tax cuts that Mr. Bush provided to the wealthy. This would motivate people to exercise more to pass the test. Its like they would get paid for exercising.
Meantime these healthier Americans would not need as much medication and other medical care and America would save lots of money that way.
Also, to create even more incventive, those that don't take the test or fail it miserably would be taxed considerably more.
Of course, people with specific medical conditions would be excluded from these tests. Only people that are considered to be able to stay healthy and strong would be included in these tax programs.
Also, to make it even more interesting, those people that can surpass the minimal norm for tax cuts can receive even more tax cuts by fulfilling a higher norm. This would give an incentive to those that stay superfit and strong.
People would be tested every 2 years at local high schools and colleges where they live.
Interesting idea, Big. I don't think weightlifting ability necessarily correlates with becoming less of a burden on the healthcare system, but other fitness measurements certainly do. Life insurance companies reward non-smokers with lower premiums. Your idea could certainly be part of a national health care plan.
Cool. However, squatting and benching a certain weight can prevent people from arthritis, hip replacement surgery, herniated discs and so on. There is a lot of money spent on treating those illnesses. Also, adequate strength means more muscle which means less percentage of fat with regard to overall body mass.
I know many people in their 20s that can't do even one push up. Makes me sick. Even at my weight I can do close to 50 push ups on an average day.
Good point, however doing them improperly or with too much weight can cause injuries, too. Anyway, I don't want to start splitting hairs about the details of your proposal, especially since you are much better informed on the subject of resistance training than I am, but I do agree that there should be some financial reward for a healthy lifestyle. I have long advocated a "fat tax" based upon the fat content of foods.
Health insurance companies already have a similar system that compensates people for going to the gym. The one I know of is that if your access card is scanned 4 times or so a week you get the compensation.
I dont think you really could devise a system that would be reasonably simple. For example, what if you have bad shoulders and should not be benching? Or bad knees that force you not to run? The list could go on and on, and I think by the time your done w/ all the exemptions/ exceptions your system would have lost much of its value....
Also, I think the emphasis should be put on physical performance rather than on food intake and stuff. Many athletes for example eat unhealthy but they are still very healthy by working out a lot.
Also, everyone knows many people, especially women, might eat low fat diets but they are anorexic and weak from not working out or still fat because eating a lot of anything can make you fat.
Meantime, many overweight people are healthy by working out regularly.
The current system of rewards is worthless. You get what 100 dollars for 6 months of exercising? Most people will not make much of it. Besides, the current system doesn't test performance. So, what many people do is scan their card, stop by the bathroom, and leave.
Now, a tax cut of $2K on average back every 6 months and up to $20-30K for the wealthy will make people think.
That's why I am saying you can have a certain tax cut even if you just run a mile without benching or without squatting. The more events you can perform the more your tax cuts. If you have a medical condition, then your taxes stay as they are and are not affected one way or the other.
This is definitely one of your best ideas big. When I'm president, remind me to make you part of my staff. I think those that would have the biggest problem with it however are those unhealthy lazy members of congress. Chances are they'd throw their "weight" around to make sure it didn't pass.
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Curtis Chenoweth
wannabe national champ looking for a good home
I know how to keep America fit and healthy 
I think those that would have the biggest problem with it however are those unhealthy lazy members of congress. Chances are they'd throw their "weight" around to make sure it didn't pass.
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